Investors reveal outlook for gold over next six months

Barclays Stockbrokers' clients have revealed their outlook for the value of gold over the next six months, and the research finds expectations of a recovery are mixed.
 
Following recent price volatility, the UK's largest execution-only retail broker asked clients for their views on how they expect gold to perform over the next six months. It found that a third of respondents (31%) think the value will bounce back over $1,500/oz. However, the majority of investors polled (41%) believe it will remain at current levels (between $1,300/oz- $1,500/oz) while just over a quarter (28%) expect it to drop further, to below $1,300/oz in the next six months.
 
Barclays Stockbrokers revealed it also saw ETC investors react to the plummet in the value of gold. Three of the top five traded ETCs had a gold focus for the week commencing 15th April, including the ETFS Physical Gold ($) and ETFS Physical Gold (£) in first and second place respectively, and the iShares Physical Gold in fifth spot.
 
Paul Inkster, Head of Product at Barclays Stockbrokers, said: "Following the recent fall in the value of gold to its lowest level in two years, our poll reveals mixed investor outlook for future volatility around the gold price, with 41% of investors expecting the value to remain at current levels across the period of the next six months.
 
"We also saw our ETC clients react to the fall in gold value last week, with three of the top five traded ETCs gold related products. While global economic events will no doubt continue to impact the value of the commodity, and as low inflation drives down demand, there is still a level of optimism for the value of gold as shown in the results of our client research."